Communication

The Department of Communication's undergraduate and graduate academic programs embrace a common mission: to fortify the intellectual and social skills necessary for effective human communication. The focus is on oral, written, and mediated communication skills that are essential in both professional and personal lives.

Noteworthy

Bailey Cornell '15 has the 'Googlyness' it takes to land job at top tech company

For six consecutive years, Google has been named the top company to work by Fortune Magazine. More than two million people apply for 5,000 jobs annually, which translates to an infinitesimal .0025 percent chance of success.

How would it feel to secure one of those coveted positions?

Bailey Cornell ’15 can tell you. In September 2015, after a series of phone and in-person interviews, the Honors Program member was invited to join Google as an associate account strategist in Ann Arbor, MI.

How did Cornell find the job? She googled Google’s company website, of course, and found a position that reflected her interests in technology, relationship building, and marketing strategy. She sent in her résumé, never thinking she would actually hear back from anyone.

“I thought the interview process went well, but, even at that point, there was a slim shot of getting an offer,” she recalls. “When my recruiter called and broke the news, I immediately started to dance around the room. When I told my family, my mom cried with happiness.”

What recruiters want

At Google, strong academic and work performance are simply expected, says Cornell. It was her volunteer work, international experiences such as study abroad, and extracurricular activities in the Bryant Outdoor Adventure Club and the Media Production Club that set her apart and helped her gain leadership skills.

“Being well-rounded and having experiences outside of the classroom are key to standing out,” says the Communication major who interned at a local television station. “Google hires people not just for the relevant experience they bring to the position but also for how they fit in the culture as a whole. ‘Googlyness’ is very real!”

“Having a background in business is great no matter what field you are interested in.”

What helped interviewers get to know Cornell as a person was her Honors Capstone Project, a study about money and happiness based on disparate age groups. “Completing the capstone was a lot of work, but it really did set me apart in the interview process,” she says. “The project came up time and time again, especially because I am so passionate about the topic.”

A valuable skill set

Cornell works with businesses who advertise with Google on the Web. “What I do is similar to a marketing consultant, so I work on different types of campaigns and strategies to effectively advertise clients’ products or services across Google’s many channels,” she says.

At Bryant, liberal arts majors are required to minor in business, while business majors minor in liberal arts. “Having a background in business is great no matter what field you are interested in,” says Cornell. “My business minor helps immensely since I work with every kind of business model on marketing strategy. In my position, I am constantly using what I learned.”

What sets Bryant apart? “The University is really great at preparing students for the ‘real world’ with a focus on group projects and presentations, which help you gain necessary experience for what’s it’s really like to work with a team on a common goal,” says Cornell.

“Bryant also gives students plenty of opportunities to get involved and become leaders. These experiences and skills can help you stand out and make a difference in whatever you are passionate about.”